Footage emerges of violent clashes over Lebanon's garbage crisis

Lebanese security services use water cannons to disperse activists trying to remove barbed wire blocking the entrance to a government building during a protest against the ongoing garbage crisis in Beirut, Lebanon on August 19, 2015. (EPA/WAEL HAMZEH)

Lebanese protesters were met with police batons and water cannons on Wednesday during a demonstration in downtown Beirut over the country's unresolved trash crisis.

Since July, activists have been demanding the government find a solution to the mountains of garbage taking over the country's capital. Lebanon's Health Minister, Wael Abu Faour, warned officials to take "drastic measures" or else the country will face "a major health catastrophe". Tensions intensified Wednesday after the government delayed a resolution to the dire situation, prompting some to take to the streets in protest.

Police reportedly used force against demonstrators trying to cross a security barrier separating the protesters from a government building. Below are videos shared by people on the scene: